Business leader receives CBE for 37 years of service to mobile industry

6/18/2012 10:17:10 AM
Business leader receives CBE for 37 years of service to mobile industry

A business leader with a career spanning 37 years in electronics and telecommunications has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Dr Mike Short, president of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and VP at Telefónica Europe plc has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire).

Short said: 'It is a great honour to receive this personally for my contribution to the mobile industry even though many others have played such a great role.

'I am particularly pleased that it helps highlight how much mobile innovation and investment has done for society, skills and services. This is a truly great year to receive my medal after 25 years in the mobile industry and only 20 years since the first digital mobile phone was approved for connection to mobile networks.'

As president of the IET, Short oversees an organisation of 150,000 members across 127 countries as well as being an ambassador for the engineering and technology profession. The role of IET president is a voluntary position lasting for 12 months. After working for Philips, Landis+Gyr and BT, Short joined Cellnet in 1989, now known as O2 and part of Telefónica Group.

In his current role of VP of public affairs for Telefónica Europe, Short’s focus is on European public policy that relates to innovation; including research, the responsible use of mobiles and new business development.

He is a past chairman of the Global GSM Association and the UK Mobile Data Association, and has served on several boards, task forces and government advisory committees.

Currently a visiting professor at a number of UK universities, Short was also awarded an honorary doctorate for services to the mobile communications industry in 2008 – the same year he joined the IET’s Board of Trustees.